She looked up at cautiously but he was really eating well. He looked like a real man, Ava thought. Dumbass, of course he was always a real man, her mental voice said and she rolled her eyes. I know, she threw back.
After dinner, she led him back to his room and didn't leave until after she sang him a song that put him to sleep. She sighed and put off the lights. Maggie was tired so she retired early, leaving Ava to do the dishes. Her back ached and she stretched out her arms. She definitely needed a good massage, she thought.
She had just gotten into bed when her phone rang. Who could be calling so late in the night? She didn't really have friends so she was confused. Oh! She thought as she remembered she gave her number to Jack but why was he calling? She had no idea. She picked on the second ring.
" Hi Jack, are you okay? " She asked immediately, getting anxious.
" Hi Ava, were you asleep already? " He sounded tired.
" No, I just got in my room, I went to put Alex to sleep, you sound tired, what's up? " She asked, frowning.
He sighed heavily " The hell I'm not, Liam... "
" What's wrong with Liam? Is he okay? " She was starting to get worried.
" I wish he was so I could get a real good sleep, I've had a long day " Hi muttered under his breath.
" What's wrong with him? Is he okay? " She asked again.
" Will you talk to him, please? That boy is gonna strangle the life out of me, he keeps saying he wants to see you and wouldn't let me sleep " He sighed.
Ava bursted into laughter " Liam wants to see me? "
Jack groaned " I wish you were here with me Ava, it's not as funny as you think, I think I'll just slump on the floor and die any minute from now "
She smiled " Sorry about that, kindly put him on the phone please "
There was a shuffle in the background and a few moments later, she heard Liam's little voice.
" Hi Ava " He sounded like he had been crying.
" Hey sweetheart, how are you? " She asked in a sweet, innocent voice.
" I'm good " He replied glumly.
She laughed softly " Are you sure, honey? Daddy told me otherwise "
" Actually, I'm not okay " He mumbled.
" I could sense that from your voice, it sound so different from the usual lively voice of my sweetheart " She teased.
" What's wrong then? We should find a way to tackle the problem, right Liam? "
" Yup " He replied, his voice getting better as it lightened up by the minute.
" So tell me what's up? " She coaxed.
" I want to see you " He whined and she guessed he said that with a pout.
She laughed " Whoa! You wanna see me? Now? " She made it seem like she was surprised and pleased.
" Yes " He answered.
" I'm so glad someone as cute as Liam wants to see this old lady! " She exclaimed.
" You're not old! " He shouted at the top of his lungs.
" You think so? " She made her voice sad and like the little child he was, he fell for it. Ava had managed to divert his attention to her.
" I know so! You're young and beautiful! " He exclaimed, the way he tried to convince her that she was not an old lady was funny to Ava but she held in her laughter or her whole drama would not work.
" Awwwnn, I'm touched! Even cute Liam says I'm young and beautiful so I guess there's nothing for me to be sad about, right? " She asked in earnest.
" Of course! You don't have to be sad about anything, you got me Ava! " He said in the same childish, high pitched voice.
" Wow! I'm so glad I have someone as strong as you! Thank you sweetheart " She sniffed.
"Gotcha! " She could hear his giggles.
" So, would you like to see this young and beautiful lady tomorrow? " She asked innocently.
" Yes! Yes! " He shouted in excitement.
" We're good then, it's a date tomorrow, alright? " She made her voice sound excited.
" Yay! " He rejoiced.
" I'll see you tomorrow for real? Pinky promise? " He sounded anxious now.
" Of course! Daddy will bring you, okay? " She assured him.
" Okay " He said in all excitement now.
" Now , go to bed, okay? " She coaxed .
" Yeah I will. Nighty night Ava! " He shouted.
" Nighty night sweetie, sleep tight " She said softly and a few seconds later, Jack came back on the line.
" Thank you so much Ava " He sounded really happy.
She smiled " You're welcome "
" Oh! I shouldn't keep you up anymore than I've done already, sleep tight " He said.
" Good night Jack " She replied and replaced her phone.
She went over to her dressing table and combed her hair, still feeling Alex's manly scent in it. Smiling to herself, she picked the ribbon and inhaled it. Sure enough, his scent still lingered on it. Her phone rang again and she frowned, did Liam threw a tantrum again?
She picked up the phone and checked the caller ID. It was an unknown number. Who could this be? She asked herself and contemplated picking it or not. She finally picked it and placed the phone to her ear cautiously. It was man's voice she heard.
" Hello " The voice said. It was oddly familiar.
" Hi " She replied quietly.
" It's Bobby, your beloved brother " The voice said from the other end. Instantly, she felt cold fear washed through her as she stood rooted to the spot, shocked. She felt terror as she heard heard the voice of her nightmare, she wouldn't have picked up if she knew he was the one on the line.
He grinned evilly " I guess you're shocked, right? "
" I always knew you would never change, see you all shaken up just by listening to my voice. I knew the courage you showed the last time was all a facade, you will never grow up to me, will you? " He asked with contempt.
Deciding not to fall into his intimidation, she took a deep breath and summoned up courage enough to talk back to him. She did it once it's not supposed to be difficult for her again.